If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Aluminum Block Welding ?

11-30-2013, 03:10 PM

I need to build up an area on the rear bellhousing flange of an aluminum block (356 T6)

I had a .875" thick piece of 6061 welded to the casting in order to machine a pad to accept a starter mount (the block originally had no provisions for an onboard starter) but the starter block ended up being 1" thick, so I need to build up this area (aprox. 6" long by 1" wide) in order to match the width of the starter block.

I have limited experience welding aluminum, and that is on much thinner material than what I will be working with here. The machine that I have access to is a Miller Syncrowave 350, and I have just about any filler rod, tungsten grade and sizes available to me.

I'm looking for any input as far as procedure, machine setting, filler rod, etc. to help me be successful completing the job.

I need to build up an area on the rear bellhousing flange of an aluminum block (356 T6)

I had a .875" thick piece of 6061 welded to the casting in order to machine a pad to accept a starter mount (the block originally had no provisions for an onboard starter) but the starter block ended up being 1" thick, so I need to build up this area (aprox. 6" long by 1" wide) in order to match the width of the starter block.

I have limited experience welding aluminum, and that is on much thinner material than what I will be working with here. The machine that I have access to is a Miller Syncrowave 350, and I have just about any filler rod, tungsten grade and sizes available to me.

I'm looking for any input as far as procedure, machine setting, filler rod, etc. to help me be successful completing the job.

Thanks, Dave

Best filler these days for 356 is Hobart/Maxal 4943..
Relatively new on the market... but neat stuff..

it is a pretty expensive block.. and you may not want to practice on it..

just a thought..

I kinda wanted to give it a whirl myself..........you don't learn if you don't try mentality

But your probably right,.... Man, after watching those YouTube clips, those inverter Dynasty machines are incredible (able to weld thick sections, to thin, without preheat to the heavy area)

And yes, Chris Razor OBVIOUSLY has the skills to do the job correctly!

Well, I also have a set of Magnesium valve covers that need some corners added to them..........I definitely wouldn't attempt that job myself, so maybe I'll kill two birds with one stone and take them down with the block.

Comment

Unfortunately he is recovering from knee surgery for the next couple of weeks.

He did however give me some helpful tips/advise on setting up the machine that I have available to me.........I might still take a go at it (he seem confident I could do the small area myself)...... Or wait till he gets back, (and caught up on the back up of work @ his shop) and have him do it.

Comment

Unfortunately he is recovering from knee surgery for the next couple of weeks.

He did however give me some helpful tips/advise on setting up the machine that I have available to me.........I might still take a go at it (he seem confident I could do the small area myself)...... Or wait till he gets back, (and caught up on the back up of work @ his shop) and have him do it.

Sounds like progress... these things do not usually happen overnight..

PLS keep us posted... and as always... PICS.....

.

*******************************************
The more you know, The better you know, How little you know

“The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten”

Buy the best tools you can afford.. Learn to use them to the best of your ability.. and take care of them...